School Counselors Celebrate During National School Counseling Week, Feb. 5–9, 2017Posted Date: 02/05/2018

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 5–9, 2017, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who "implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Region 9 Education Service Center recognizes school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. They are well known for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development. Counselors are also appreciated for working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career awareness in post-secondary options and social/emotional skills,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., ASCA executive director. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."

More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week's festivities. Many school counselors will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952, ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, career planning, and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. ASCA has a network of 50 state associations and a membership of more than 34,000 school counseling professionals.

Per Texas HB 462, resources and services provided by Region 9 ESC are solely aligned with, and designed to support, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skill (TEKS) adopted by the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE).